Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a popular alternative to cow's cheese, but it often comes with a higher price tag. The price of goat cheese varies due to factors such as scale of production, seasonality, production techniques, and supply chain costs. Goat milk is more expensive than cow milk due to higher costs in labour, space, feed, and breeding. Goats produce less milk than cows, and there are fewer goats in the United States, leading to higher prices for goat milk and cheese. The average cost of goat cheese at a grocery store is between $1 to $4 per ounce, or $13 to $22 per pound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Price range | $1 to $4 per ounce |
| $13 to $22 per pound | |
| Factors affecting price | Quantity, type, brand, retailer, market conditions, production methods, aging, supply chain, labour, feed cost, breeding, demand, and government support |
| Comparison with cow's milk cheese | Goat cheese is more expensive due to lower milk yield, higher feed costs, and lack of government subsidies |
| Examples | Drunken Goat® cheese: close to $20 per pound |
| Costco: a two-pack 10-ounce package retails for about $7 | |
| Trader Joe's: one-ounce container of fresh Wisconsin goats' milk retails for close to $2.49 | |
| CarrValleyCheese.com: offers a variety ranging from $10 to $20 per pound |
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What You'll Learn
Goat milk supply and demand
Goat cheese is more expensive than cow's cheese because of the higher costs of production and lower supply of goat milk. In the United States, there were 9.4 million dairy cows in 2020, compared to only 420,000 dairy goats in 2021. Cows also produce about ten times more milk than goats. This makes goat milk less available and more expensive than cow's milk.
The higher cost of producing goat milk is due to several factors. Goats are seasonal breeders, requiring additional costs to breed them out of season to meet year-round demand for milk. They also require more space than cows, with four times the indoor barn space and almost twice the rotational pasture needed for nine goats to produce the same amount of milk as one Holstein cow. Feed costs are also higher for goats, as they require three to four times the amount of feed to produce the same amount of milk as a cow. In addition, labour, supply chain costs, and vagaries in climate and crop production affect the cost of producing goat milk.
The price of goat cheese also depends on the scale of production, season of the year, special production techniques, age and affinage, miles travelled to reach the consumer, and milk source. Traditional, artisan methods and small-scale production result in higher prices. Aged cheeses are generally more expensive than fresh cheeses that do not require special production methods and extended ageing. The type of retailer also affects the price, with specialty cheesemongers charging more for their expertise and labour in cutting, wrapping, weighing, and labelling the cheese.
Goat cheese prices at grocery stores typically range from $1 to $4 per ounce, or $13 to $22 per pound. The cost depends on the quantity, type, brand, retailer, and market conditions. For example, DRUNKEN GOAT® cheese can cost close to $20 per pound, while a mild and creamy pound of goat cheese can be as low as $8. At Costco, a two-pack 10-ounce package retails for about $7.
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Goat milk production costs
Goat milk is more expensive than cow milk due to several factors, including labour, space, feed cost, seasonal breeding, and lack of government support. The higher price of goat milk products, such as cheese, can be attributed to these production costs, which are not always reflected in the final price.
Labour costs are a significant factor in goat milk production. Unlike cow milk operations, where labour costs can be reduced through robotic milking and computer systems, goat milk relies more heavily on manual labour. The smaller size of goats means that more animals are needed to produce the same amount of milk as a cow, requiring more labour to manage and move them in and out of pens and pastures. Additionally, the record-keeping necessary for herd health and productivity adds to the labour expenses.
Space requirements also contribute to the higher costs of goat milk production. Goats require more indoor barn space and rotational pasture compared to cows. This increased land requirement results in higher maintenance expenses.
Feed costs for goats have also increased in recent years, with grain and hay prices more than doubling in the past five years. While a goat needs less feed per body weight than a cow, the larger number of goats needed to match a cow's milk production leads to higher overall feed costs.
Seasonal breeding in goats adds another layer of complexity and expense. Goats have a heat cycle in the fall and freshen (give birth) five months later. To maintain a year-round milk supply, especially during high-demand periods in fall and winter, additional costs are incurred for out-of-season breeding.
Government support also plays a role in the higher costs of goat milk production. Cow dairies receive substantial funding, subsidies, and marketing support from government programmes and associations, while goat dairies often lack this financial assistance. This disparity affects the overall production costs for goat milk and cheese.
Other factors influencing the cost of goat milk production include the breed of goat, individual animal health, nutrition, and weather conditions. The scale of production, special production techniques, ageing, and supply chain considerations also impact the final price of goat milk and cheese products.
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Goat cheese production costs
Goat cheese is generally more expensive than cow's cheese due to the higher costs involved in producing goat milk. In the United States, there are far fewer milk goats than cows, with goats also producing a lower volume of milk. This disparity in supply and demand means that goat milk is more expensive than cow milk.
Goat milk is more expensive to produce than cow milk due to several factors. Goats require more labour, space, and feed than cows. Goats are also seasonal breeders, with additional costs involved in getting them to breed out of season to provide milk year-round. Furthermore, cow dairies receive substantial funding and subsidies from the government, while goat dairies often do not benefit from these support programs.
The cost of producing goat cheese also depends on the scale of production, the production techniques, and the supply chain. Traditional, artisan methods employed by small-scale producers may be more labour-intensive and time-consuming, increasing the cost of the final product. On the other hand, large-scale, high-tech operations can achieve economies of scale, potentially reducing the cost per unit of cheese produced.
The age of the cheese also affects the production cost, with fresh cheeses that don't require special production methods or extended aging generally being less expensive than aged cheeses. The distance travelled by the cheese to reach the consumer, as well as the labour costs involved in cutting, wrapping, weighing, and labelling the cheese at the retailer, also contribute to the final price.
In addition to the costs of milk production and cheese manufacturing, there are other factors that can impact the price of goat cheese. For example, the initial investment in establishing a cheese plant can be significant, as can the costs of storing and transporting the cheese to market.
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Goat cheese retail costs
Goat cheese is generally more expensive than cow's cheese due to a variety of factors, including the higher costs of labour, space, and feed for goats compared to cows. Goats are also seasonal breeders, which adds to the cost of getting them to breed out of season to meet year-round demand. The price of goat cheese can vary depending on the scale of production, season, special production techniques, age, miles travelled to reach the consumer, and milk source.
On average, goat cheese at a local grocery store in the US costs around $1 to $4 per ounce, or $13 to $22 per pound. The cost depends on the quantity, type, brand, retailer, and market conditions. For example, DRUNKEN GOAT® cheese can be close to $20 per pound, while a mild and creamy pound of goat cheese can be around $8. At Costco, a two-pack 10-ounce package retails for about $7. At Trader Joe's, a one-ounce container of fresh Wisconsin goats' milk is priced at approximately $2.49.
The price of goat cheese is also influenced by the lack of government support and subsidies for goat dairy farmers, unlike their cow dairy counterparts. This means that goat cheesemakers work with much smaller margins. Additionally, the labour cost of cheesemongers, who cut, wrap, weigh, and label the cheese, contributes to the overall retail price.
When compared to cow's milk cheese, goat cheese has less fat, fewer calories, and cholesterol, while containing more calcium. It is also known for its distinct white colour and flavour, which can vary depending on the shape, such as a cone, wheel, disc, or button.
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Goat cheese alternatives
Goat cheese, also known as "chevre" in French, is a traditional cheese made from goat's milk. It is a delicious addition to various dishes due to its complex flavour profile and versatility. However, there are several reasons why goat cheese is more expensive than cow cheese. Firstly, goat milk is more costly than cow milk due to factors such as labour, space, feed cost, seasonal breeding, and lack of government support. Goats require more indoor barn space and rotational pasture than cows, resulting in higher expenses. Additionally, the demand for goat milk cheese has increased, but there is less goat milk available, leading to higher prices.
If you're looking for alternatives to goat cheese, here are some suggestions:
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is considered one of the best substitutes for goat cheese because of its smooth, creamy texture and mildly tangy flavour. It works well in both hot and cold recipes and is a cost-effective option.
- Tofu: Tofu is a superb alternative for vegans and those on dairy-free diets. It offers a texture similar to goat cheese and acts as a "sponge" for other flavours.
- Boursin: Boursin is a cow's milk cheese with a similar tang to goat cheese and is readily available in most supermarkets.
- Feta: Feta cheese is usually a mixture of sheep and goat milk, so the "goatiness" is mellowed by the sheep's milk. It is a good option for salads.
- Mascarpone: Mascarpone is a good alternative for bruschetta as it is already whipped and creamy without the tangy flavour of goat cheese.
- Sheep's Cheese: While not widely available, some sheep's cheeses may offer a similar taste profile to goat cheese.
- Other Cheeses: Depending on the recipe, you can experiment with other cheeses like ricotta salata, Parmesan, Pecorino, or blue cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat milk is more expensive than cow milk due to factors such as labour, space, feed cost, seasonal breeding, and lack of government support. Goats produce less milk than cows, and there are fewer goats than cows in the US.
On average, goat cheese at a local grocery store costs $1 to $4 per ounce, or $13 to $22 per pound. The price depends on the quantity, type, brand, retailer, and current market conditions.
You can buy goat cheese at local grocery stores, including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Costco.
Goat cheese has less fat, fewer calories, and less cholesterol than cow cheese. It also has more calcium than cream cheese.
